Bunuel
x and y are positive integers. When x is divided by 11, the remainder is 5, and when x is divided by 34, the remainder is 27. When y is divided by 17, the remainder is 11, and when y is divided by 3, the remainder is 2. What is the least possible value of x + y?
A) 7
B) 19
C) 38
D) 53
E) 89
Source: GMATPrepNopw.
Kudos for a correct solution.
GMAT Prep Now OFFICIAL SOLUTION:When x is divided by 11, the remainder is 5: So, the possible values of x are: 5, 16, 27, 38, etc.
When x is divided by 34, the remainder is 27: So, the possible values of x are: 27... STOP. Since both lists include 27, the smallest possible value of x is 27.
When y is divided by 17, the remainder is 11: So, the possible values of y are: 11, 28, 45, etc.
When y is divided by 3, the remainder is 2: So, the possible values of y are: 2, 5, 8, 11...STOP. Since both lists include 11, the smallest possible value of y is 11
Since the smallest possible values of x and y are 27 and 11 respectively, the smallest possible value of x + y is 38. So,
C is the correct answer to the original question.
The Big Takeaway:When solving remainder questions on the GMAT, you can sometimes save yourself a lot of work by listing possible values and, more importantly, by beginning with the smallest possible value.